Any tips for a wannabe knitter?

[PoohFairy]

I want to try knitting. I have a kit that I bought, it is supposed to give you step by step instudtions but I haven't had much success with it.

Any tips or know of any place in Houston that gives classes??


TIA!!

[dozymom]

Christina there is a book I LOVE. It's called Knitting in Plain English by Maggie Righetti. I used it to teach others (I taught myself to knit from books years back and this is WAY easier).

She wrote two others Crocheting in Plain English and Sweater Design in Pl. Eng.

I bought the set after I'd gotten to know the knitting book. I keep hoping to teach myself crochet sometime but that sweater design book is MARVELLOUS!

Later when you can knit (note I didn't say if) you will find out that commercial patterns are less than glorious. As Maggie points out this is not always the fault of the knitter.

She explains how to spot a faulty pattern, how to knit for yourself using your own measurements and all kinds of useful info.

but if you just get Knitting in Plain English out of your public library you can try it for free. If she doesn't "fit" well with you, you aren't out the cost of a book. (we are all different, and while I love her, it may be because she and I see things similarly so I understand her easily)

All the best!

[blueknitter]

I second the Knitting in Plain English book! Love it! Also, look for yarn shops in the phone book, or a Joann's store. They'll offer classes and in-person help as well.

[PoohFairy]

Thanksk for advice!

I have signed up for a class but it doesn't start until December. In the mean time I'll find that book. I am determined to learn!

[samantha]

Good luck, Christina.

Knitting is fun once you pass that learning curve. Until then, just have fun and don't worry if you're a little slow at first.

[heaven]

thanks for the tips. i just started crocheting and love it knitting is next though. thanks for asking the question too.

[frugalmel]

THanks for the question Poohfairy! I got my answer before I had to ask! LOL. I will be looking for that book at my local library also!
Happy Thanksgiving!

[dozymom]

I just wanted to add a useful link or two here where they show you how in living colour.

http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/ click on the learn how stuff.

http://www.stitchguide.com/ is the BEST however. They have exceptionally clear illustrations, and even VIDEO CLIPS!!! You can watch it in living colour and action if that helps.

(for those who can't resist freebies, they offer different free patterns to help practice each technique, some of which are fine, but others might be a bit over the top for a beginner in the two I checked into)

I was poking thru my knitting links and remembered these and thought they may help

[dozymom]

And dishcloth Boutique has some lovely knitted dishcloths (they have crochet too i think).

Grandmothers Favourite is the simplest and easiest dishcloth ever, and it's great to practice knitting in garter stitch (plain knit stitch both sides) and increasing using the yarn overs, and decreasing as well as casting on and off.

It's inexpensive (I get the big balls of dishcloth cotton yarn from Walmart) and you can use the results even if they aren't perfect.

Meanwhile you are practicing, and getting your tension smoothed out.

Here is the dishcloth boutique link:
http://www.jimsyldesign.com/~dishbou...javaindex.html

[dozymom]

I found a couple more learn to knit on the internet links for anyone who is interested in learning. I looked up cyberknitting on knitnet.com which is an online knitting magazine. They recommended the Craft council one above and these two following:

http://www.theyarnco.com/instruction.php

http://www.vogueknitting.com/tech/knit/knit.html

I don't mean to overwhelm, it's just that I often don't "get" stuff the first or second time I see it done. I need to see it many different ways for something like this to "click" for me.

Maybe you will also find looking at each different site's photos or video clips of the basics of knitting helpful to fill in the big picture of how to knit.

Happy needles!